2007/1/10

Manzamou is a scenic spot in a quasi-national nature park in Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture.

It is said that the name Manzamou originated in the early 18th century, when King Shoukei of the Ryukyu Dynasty described the prairie as having 'enough hair (grass) to seat everybody'. It isn't surprising either that the king praised Manzamou for its simply astonishing scenery features that include: a coral and rocky promontory shaped like the head of an elephant; a carpet of green grass on top; and the clear, translucent sea around it.

Although natural grass prairies are not a rare sight in Okinawa, the raised coral reefs are, and Manzamou is the largest prairie in Okinawa, where many seashore plants can be seen, too. Flowers, such as the 'isonogiku' and many other special plants, some only found in Manzamou, exist in this seaside region. These clusters of plants have been named a Natural Monument of Okinawa.

It isn't an overstatement to say that Manzamou is a natural paradise surrounded by beautiful sea and divine plants.